GENERAL CARDIOLOGY SERVICES

Cardiology services

General cardiology assessments

As a specialist in general and interventional cardiology, you can consult me for the following tests:

Electrocardiogram (ECG): records the electrical activity of your heart at rest and can be used to evaluate certain

abnormal rhythms.

Holter monitor: records the electrical activity of your heart to detect any abnormal rhythms (palpitations,

tachycardia, etc.) over a period of 24 hours or up to seven days.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitor (Remler): records your blood pressure over a period of 24 hours and can be used

to determine whether you have high blood pressure (hypertension) or whether your treatment is effective.

Echocardiography (commonly known as an echo): uses sound waves to produce images of your heart, showing the different structures. In particular, these images can be used to assess natural heart valves and mechanical replacement valves, to demonstrate and follow any changes in their structure and function. It can also be used to

assess the overall size and function of your heart, and determine whether you have any heart disease.

Exercise stress test: ECG recorded during exercise as one of the tests to determine the likelihood of coronary artery disease and detect any cardiac arrythmias.

Exercise stress echocardiogram: a more sensitive and specific test than an exercise stress test to determine the likelihood of coronary artery disease. Ultrasound images are produced during exercise to determine the size and function of the heart and evaluate intracardiac pressures.

Myocardial perfusion scan: consists of injecting an isotope (tracer) that binds to the cells of the heart. This binding depends on whether your arteries are healthy or diseased. The scan detects areas that are not well perfused, which indirectly signifies a narrowing of one or more coronary arteries.

Pacemaker: a device implanted beneath the skin to stimulate the heart when the rhythm is too slow or there are pauses.

Defibrillator: a device implanted beneath the skin which sends an electric shock to correct any life-threatening arrhythmia.